By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Following a week-long, Thanksgiving road trip to New Orleans, the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team will return home to the Eblen Center Wednesday evening, playing host to in-state rival Lipscomb in a 6 p.m. CT tilt.
Both teams enter the contest having lost their previous two contests, each looking to grab a big win to right the ship. Tech comes off a road loss at Southeastern Louisiana, followed by a tough road contest ultimately won by Tulane. Lipscomb fell to crosstown rival Belmont last Monday and at Colorado Sunday, 84-75.
Tech enters the match-up undefeated at home, having won each of its first three games of the 2014-15 season in the Eblen Center. The Golden Eagles eased to an 83-29 victory in the season-opener over Piedmont International. Tech's next stop in the Hoop was an incredible 19-point, comeback victory over in-state rival Chattanooga. The squad that followed that up with an 81-62 win over Southeastern Louisiana.
This meeting marks the second of 11 contests against in-state competition for the Golden Eagles this season and the second different in-state opponent out of nine total. Seven of the 11 contests take place in the Eblen Center with this game marking the second.
Season tickets that will allow fans to enjoy the entire Golden Eagle home basketball schedule are on sale, with a variety of ticket options to choose from. Fans may purchase their tickets online (TTUsports.com), in person at the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center, or on the telephone (931-372-3940).
Tennessee Tech (3-3) vs. Lipscomb (2-4)
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014
6 p.m. CT
Eblen Center (9,250) – Cookeville, Tenn.
The Broadcasts
TV: none
Radio: none
Webcast: Golden Eagle Sports Network on the OVC Digital Network (Roger Ealey)
SETTING THE STAGE
These two in-state programs have met a total of 46 times over the years in a series dating back to 1941. Tech and Lipscomb met nearly every year from 1941 to 1960, accounting for all but eight of the contests between the two schools. The series ran dry for nearly 50 years, with just one meeting until a 2008 revival of the rivalry.
Tech has dominated the series, owning a 39-7 edge with a series record 13 straight victories from 1949 to 1955. Lipscomb has made a strong showing over the past few meetings, winning three of the past four contests, including the last two. Each of those victories for the Bisons came on their home court.
The Golden Eagles won the last contest in the Eblen Center, edging Lipscomb 89-87 in overtime, the last time a Tech squad played a game with an overtime period. Lipscomb's largest victory came in 2012, a 16-point win. Tech's largest win in the series came back in 1948, a 43-point victory over the Bisons.
Leading Lipscomb on the court this season has been Josh Williams, averaging 15.7 points per game. He adds 4.8 rebounds and a steal per game as well. Twin forwards Martin and Malcolm Smith come into the game averaging 12.7 and 11.5 points, respectively. Martin ranks second on the team with 16 assists while Malcolm is second on the squad with 5.0 rebounds per game.
Nathan Moran also averages double figures in scoring, dropping 10.7 points per game and leading the team with 17 assists and eight steals. He is hitting an impressive 43.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc on the year coming off the bench.
As for Tech, Charles Jackson has been the on-court leader, averaging double-digit points and rebounds. He leads the Ohio Valley Conference in rebounding, averaging 11.0 per game. He is adding a team-high 13.8 points per game and 10 blocks on the year.
Dwan Caldwell ranks second in scoring, dropping 12.8 points and adding 4.5 rebounds per contest. Torrance Rowe and Josiah Moore each average 10.5 points with Rowe adding 16 assists and 3.3 boards. Moore chips in 3.8 rebounds and 13 assists off the bench.
Jackson enters the game coming off his sixth straight double-double to start his career, the first Tech player in over 30 years to accomplish the feat. He was named the OVC Newcomer of the Week Monday afternoon for the second consecutive week.
True freshman Aleksa Jugovic also earned league honors Monday, grabbing his first career OVC Freshman of the Week honor. The native of Leskovac, Serbia is averaging 6.3 points per game while shooting 51.9 percent from the field.
Photo by Rich Schmitt
